Proposed Northern Michigan nature preserve is home to rare habitat, nesting bald eagles

TRAVERSE Town, MICH. — A proposed new character maintain in the Traverse Town spot would save a uncommon slice of land dwelling to nesting bald eagles and a specific shallow-h2o cove that acts as a important “nursery” for wildlife.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is trying to find to safeguard the cove and 120 acres of surrounding forestland as Turtle Cove Mother nature Protect. The property sits on Arbutus Lake about 10 miles south of Traverse City.

The non-income conservation team, which manages just about 40 general public preserves in Northwest Lessen Michigan, states it has had Turtle Cove on its radar for a very long time.

“This distinct house has been on our priority record for protection for about two a long time,” said Jennifer Jay, the conservancy’s director of communications. “We’ve recognized that it has amazing conservation value and that it is worthy of defense.”

The crown jewel of the property is its namesake shallow-h2o cove — a secured bay on Arbutus Lake that offers habitat for scores of fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

“It’s acting, seriously, as a nursery for all of Arbutus Lake,” explained Kate Pearson, GTRLC’s senior charitable supplying professional.

Turtle Cove delivers other critical ecological positive aspects, as well, Pearson mentioned. As portion of the Boardman River watershed, the house plays an crucial part in drinking water top quality for the whole location. The land adjoins two other shielded spots — a community park and a state forest campground — generating a constant, undistrubed corridor for wildlife.

And, in a location in which waterfront parcels have very long been in higher desire, the property’s .75-mile undeveloped shoreline is a uncommon treasure.

For these explanations, when the residence went up for sale final 12 months, a conservation buyer provided to maintain it to give the conservancy time to elevate cash for its security. About $1 million continues to be in the $2.47 million fundraising purpose for Turtle Cove, Pearson reported.

If the conservancy succeeds in its fundraising initiatives, Turtle Cove finally will open for minimal-affect general public use. A 1-mile climbing loop trail will wind as a result of the maintain, enabling guests to encounter the unspoiled habitat, see the cove, and witness special flora and fauna, like coralroot — a slide-blooming Michigan orchid — and a nesting pair of bald eagles that have been seen on the home. There will not be a dock or boat launch because of to the cove’s sensitive ecosystem, Pearson reported.

The conservancy is web hosting public walks by means of the proposed protect on August 6 and 9 details are on GTRLC’s situations calendar.

More facts on Turtle Cove Nature Preserve can be identified at gtrlc.org/activeprojects/turtle-cove-nature-protect/.

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